Lace-fastener.



PATENTED NOV. 28, 1905.

(I. B. HALL.

LACE FASTENER.

APPLICATION IILED MAY1.-1905.

. Witnesses UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LACE-FASTENER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 28, 1905.

Application filed May 1, 1905. Serial No. 258,312.

To all whmn it ntay concern:

Be it known that I, J OHN B. HALL, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city and county of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Lace-Fastener, of which the following is a specification.

My invention consists of a novel construction of a device for securing in position the bows at the end of a cord or lace, and particularly of a shoe-lace, although the invention is capable of general application and for use as a fastening for the laces of corsets, gloves, or any other article, provision being made for easily and quickly securing the loop, bow, or the extremities of the lacing-strings in place after they have been woven across each other in the usual manner.

The principal object of my invention, however, is to produce a novel construction of device which is adapted to be secured to a pair of the ordinary eyelets of a shoe, the fastening devices being preferably projected upwardly in substantially parallel lines, so as to securely retain in position the bow of the shoe-lace, particularly the bow of a low or Oxford shoe, which it is desirable to have assume the neat and tasty appearance on the foot of the wearer.

Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a shoe, showing the fastener for the bow of the shoe-lace and its adjunctsin position. Fig. 2 represents a perspective view of a fastener in detached position. Fig. 3 represents a sectional view through the upper and fastener, showing the latterin assembled position with respect to its coacting eyelet. Figs. 4 and 5 represent perspective views of another embodiment of my invention.

Similar figures of reference indicate corresponding parts in the figures.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates one of the fasteners in detached position, the same comprising a body portion 2, having the wavy, serpentine, or corrugated member 3 extending therefrom, it being understood that there are at least two points of contact, as 4 and 5, between the fastener and the contiguous portion of the shoe-upper 6.

7 designates a laterally-extending ring or annulus which projects from the body portion, it being understood that the eye 8 extends through both the body portion and the ring, sleeve, or annulus 7.

9 designates the eyelet of ordinary constructionas, for example, the two upper eyelets of an ordinary shoeit being understood that in the practical application and use of my invention the projecting ring or annulus 7 is forced through the eyelet 9, as will be understood from Fig. 3, and is beaded or headed over the same, as indicated at 10, by any suitable implement.

ll designates an ordinary shoe-lace, and 12 the bows thereof, it being apparent from Fig. 1 that in the preferred embodiment of my in vention I arrange the fasteners in substantially parallel lines, so that each fastener engages a member of the bow into which the shoe-lace is tied in the usual manner.

In the construction seen in Figs. 4 and 5 I employ substantially the same general principle of construction as has already been referred to; but in order to provide an additional means for preventing disengagement of the shoe-lace I provide the upper extremity of the fastener with an inturned lip 13, whereby the liability of the lace or bow becoming disengaged is reduced to a minimum.

In the construction seen in Fig. l I may, if desired, provide the ring 7 with slits 14, whereby said ring may be readily beaded 0r headed.

It will thus be seen that in various embodiments of my invention I provide in every instance a resilient corrugated tongue which has preferably at least two points in contact with the shoe-upper, whereby disengagement of the lace or bow is ordinarily under all conditions prevented. In my present invention, however, it will be observed that employ a pair of more or less resilient or corrugated tongues which are adapted to project preferably in a substantially parallel direction, although this is not essential in every case, and it will further be observed that these tongues or fastening devices are particularly adapted to engage each member of a bow, so as to retain the same normally in substantially the position indicated in the upper portion of Fig. 2.

The device described can be readily applied to existing shoes by an ordinary cobbler, since it will be apparent that the ring or annulus 7 can be readily inserted in the eyelet and clenched orbeaded or secured there upon by any cobbler or shoemaker.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that in the practical use of my invention a lace is woven from eyelet to eyelet or hook to hook in the ordinary manner, and after being tied or knotted the ends'of a bow are slipped between the resilient fastening tongue or member and the contlguous portlon of the upper, as will be understood from Fig. 1.

Having thus described my invention, WhatI I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1.' The combination with the upper of a shoe, of a plurality of fastening devices arranged to extend in a line substantially parallel to each other, each of said devices consisting of a portion having a resilient, corrugated member at one end adapted to contact with said shoe-upper and to receive and retain the bow of a shoe-lace, and a body portion at one extremity of said member, said body portion being provided with a sleeve extending at a right angle therefrom, said sleeve JOHN B. HALL.

l/Vitnesses:

E. H. FAIRBANKS, JOHN A. WIEDERSHEIM. 

